Total 3D Airo® Navigation for Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

Publication Type	Academic Article
Authors	Lian X, Navarro-Ramirez R, Berlin C, Jada A, Moriguchi Y, Zhang Q, Härtl R
Journal	Biomed Res Int
Volume	2016
Pagination	5027340
Date Published	07/27/2016
ISSN	2314-6141
Keywords	Imaging, Three-Dimensional, Lumbar Vertebrae, Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures, Neuronavigation, Spinal Fusion
Abstract	Introduction. A new generation of iCT scanner, Airo®, has been introduced. The purpose of this study is to describe how Airo facilitates minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF). Method. We used the latest generation of portable iCT in all cases without the assistance of K-wires. We recorded the operation time, number of scans, and pedicle screw accuracy. Results. From January 2015 to December 2015, 33 consecutive patients consisting of 17 men and 16 women underwent single-level or two-level MIS-TLIF operations in our institution. The ages ranged from 23 years to 86 years (mean, 66.6 years). We treated all the cases in MIS fashion. In four cases, a tubular laminectomy at L1/2 was performed at the same time. The average operation time was 192.8 minutes and average time of placement per screw was 2.6 minutes. No additional fluoroscopy was used. Our screw accuracy rate was 98.6%. No complications were encountered. Conclusions. Airo iCT MIS-TLIF can be used for initial planning of the skin incision, precise screw, and cage placement, without the need for fluoroscopy. "Total navigation" (complete intraoperative 3D navigation without fluoroscopy) can be achieved by combining Airo navigation with navigated guide tubes for screw placement.
DOI	10.1155/2016/5027340
PubMed ID	27529069
PubMed Central ID	PMC4978816